Lawwa

What time you need to be in work will affect your commute time. My Husband has to be in work by 6.30am and his commute from Point Cook only takes him 20 - 25 mins at the most. Leave it an hour later and it's a different story. Don't know too much about WL schools as I only have pre-schoolers. They are building a new one over there I believe.

We are in Point Cook and also pay $94 per day for our son's daycare. Wait lists here are insane though, as leanda said.

Would he be willing to put on paper that he will not support you and get it notarised? (It's a free service if you go to a JP). It may help you get something benefit wise if you have that. Also curious as to why you'd say that to someone who has obviously been through a lot and wants to be nearer supportive family?

Medicare will not cover dental or any treatment that they don't deem necessary. This is a good link (sorry if you've already seen it) http://www.travellers.com.au/Planyourtrip/Medicare/tabid/201/Default.aspx Dental here is NOT cheap if you 'd don't have some form of insurance.

As far as I am aware, the WHV gets you cover via Medicare HOWEVER it doesn't cover dental so you'll need to make sure you have some cover in place for that. http://www.travellers.com.au/Planyourtrip/Medicare/tabid/201/Default.aspx I am unsure as to whether an Australian company would cover you for such a short period due to the waiting periods for benefits to kick in but you could always ask - try contacting http://www.Bupa.com.au and http://www.hcf.com.au

We use Bupa. They have been faultless to date *touch wood*. Customer services are really helpful and their list of providers is easy to negotiate when trying to locate a service.

Just be prepared ot have to fill in a lot of paperwork. Hubby and Son are both Aus Citizens (H by birth, Son by descent), and I am on a spouse visa. We had to fill in more paperwork for Hubby then either of the rest of us. They wanted to make sure he wasn't planning to use the system and then leg it back to the UK.

Just give the ATO a call - there may well just be a delay in the system filtering through and they'll be able to chase it up quicker than you can. You shouldn't need to call DIAC at all.

Being on a 457 won't affect her landing a job. If they are looking for people with PR, then they usually detail that in the advert anyway.

A lot of airlines run a fear of flying course too. Hubby did one with Virgin before we moved out here (although he'd already done Aus - UK and back on 4 previous occasions!!). It helped immensely. Doesn't just deal with the actual flying but also the confinement issues. I have to say that it was nice to take off without gaining nail marks in my hand hahahah Turbulence has NEVER brought a plane down ever either.

We live in Point Cook and have found it a lovely place to live. I hope this link helps http://maps.google.com.au/maps?client=firefox-a&ie=UTF-8&q=alamanda+k+9+college&fb=1&gl=au&hq=alamanda+k+9+college&cid=0,0,11160281405336969838&ei=TicfUtjaDquaiAe33oDoDw&ved=0CI4BEPwSMAs I know it doesn't highlight the exact catchment are for Alamanda K9 but that area will definitely include these surrounding streets. Whilst I understand people have their preferences over areas, my hubby is an energency call taker and says he takes more calls to Williamstown and the Altona areas than he does to PC.

I live in Point Cook and have to say that, having lived in other suburbs (including Rosebud), this one is by far the best. It's very family orientated, a lot of new developments going up so housing is modern and there is a good choice of rental properties to choose from whilst you search to buy or build. There is a high British population here too and some great groups on FB with regular meets so you can get to know people (pm me if you want the names of those groups). Schools wise - there is a good range and I haven't heard a bad review on any of them. They recently opened a new K-9 school and there is land earmarked for a new P-9 too. Have you been up here to visit? If not, I am happy to give you a tour one day.